We live lives of opposites. And opposites do co-exist… or do they? For example: can you have faith and still fear? The quick answer is – of course. But not on the same issue, simultaneously. There are many examples of opposites: light – dark, faith – fear, hope – despair are only a few of them. And while we can argue that it depends on the situation as to which feeling prevails, there is a primary position we all have.
The issue can be ‘feeling’. While feelings often rule, it is our mind that controls. I suspect that’s why we have as many scriptures on renewing the mind that there are. 2Corinthians 4:16 talks about the inward man being renewed day by day, Ephesians 4:23 tells us to be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and Romans 12:2 tells to to be transformed by the renewing of your mind. There are other examples but two things seem to reaffirm that this is not a one time act and that it is progressive. It’s important that we renew our minds so that it does control.
But have you considered the opposites that exist in your life? Light – dark. Do you know that it’s impossible for dark to coexist with light? The dark is swallowed up in the light. But the opposite, dark swallowing light cannot occur. Dark is the lesser. Light brings understanding, knowledge but dark only brings negative emotions. Faith – fear. Again, it is impossible for them to coexist. Fear is crippling while faith is enabling. Fear brings stress and worry, faith brings assurance. Hope – despair. You can’t hope if you live in despair and you can’t despair if you live in hope.
All of these opposites are either/or. You can’t hold both simultaneously. None of the ‘negative’ opposites have power, except that which we give them. All of the ‘positive’ opposites are imbued with power. Light, faith, hope bring us to a place of peace, a place of strength. Dark, fear, despair bring us to sadness and conflict. And… you choose which you will live with.
